The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) says the industry will mark National Forest Week by celebrating the industry’s huge impact on the economy and jobs, contributions to tackling climate change and sustainable forest practices.

Derek Nighbor, FPAC’s CEO, announced today that the association will highlight these contributions during the week with an agenda that includes a green energy announcement, live Twitter chats with FPAC experts, a tree-planting event with Tree Canada, and an editorial that further demonstrates the industry’s impact on Canada.

“National Forest Week is a time for our industry to champion our clean, innovative and sustainable approach that has made us a global leader in the fight against climate change and the creation of green jobs,” says Nighbor. “When it comes to our forests and our country’s sustainable approach to managing them, Canadians have a lot to celebrate.”

Nighbor said the forest products industry is working hard with partners across government, industry and non-government organizations to continue the progress towards supporting and creating more jobs, fighting climate change and advancing sustainability.

The $65-billion-a-year forest products industry represents about 2 per cent of Canada’s GDP and is one of the country’s largest employers. In the coming years, the industry is expecting to hire thousands of new workers for a variety of professions, including foresters, engineers, environmental scientists, human resources, administration, skilled trades and mill operation professionals.

Earlier this year, FPAC joined with the federal government department now called Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Canada to launch a first-of-its-kind Greenest Workforce Job Matching Tool – an online tool to help match job openings at Canadian forest products companies with job seekers, and provide detailed labour market information about the sector.

In May, the forest products industry pledged to help Canada move to a low-carbon economy by removing 30 megatonnes (MT) of CO2 per year by 2030 — more than 13% of the Canadian government’s emissions target. The “30 by 30” Climate Change Challenge made the forest sector the first to voluntarily contribute to the federal government’s climate goals.

Sustainability is also an industry priority. Canada has about 40% of the world’s certified forests and, by law and practice, ensures that harvested trees are replaced either through replanting or natural regeneration.

Nighbor invited Canadians to use National Forestry Week as an opportunity to learn more about becoming part of the forest products industry and how using wood products is a tangible way to support our environment and fight climate change.

The forest sector is one of Canada’s largest, providing good-paying jobs in over 230 cities and towns across Canada. The industry directly employs 230,000 Canadians, mostly in communities that need them most – in northern and rural Canada.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $65-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada’s GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.